Azalea plant named `Conlel`

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of azalea found as a seedling in a planned cross between the female azalea `Carror` and the male Rhododendron oldhamii `Fourth of July`. The new variety possesses a unique blooming time and is superior in development of a dense, globose shaped plant with attractive semi-double pink flowers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of evergreenazalea of the genus Rhododendron and a member of the Ericaceae family.This new azalea variety, hereinafter referred to as `Conlel`, wasdiscovered by Robert Edward Lee of Transcend Nursery in August, 1986 inIndependence, La. `Conlel` originated from a planned cross hybridizationbetween two selected breeding lines in a controlled breeding program inIndependence, La. The value of this new cultivar lies in its uniqueblooming period, bloom color, bloom form, and growth habit.

Asexual propagation of the new plant by cuttings has been under Mr.Lee's direction at the same location. Several generations of the newplant have been evaluated and the distinctive characteristics of theplant have remained stable. The plant cannot be reproduced true fromseed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following are the most outstanding and distinguishingcharacteristics of this new cultivar when grown under normalhorticultural practices in Independence, La.

1. The unique spring, summer, and fall blooming.

2. A pink flower color Red Group 54B with dotting color Red Group 53B.

3. Semi-double flower with wavy petal margins. The flowers range in sizefrom 21/4"-23/4" in diameter.

4. Easily propagated with semi-hardwood cuttings in late spring throughthe summer.

5. Fast growth rate under normal fertilization and moisture conditions.

6. Dense and globose in nature.

7. Good specimen plant.

8. Desirable in planters.

9. Makes a very good low-growing hedge or screen.

10. Very good foundation plant.

11. Does well as an understory plant in a woodland garden.

12. Hardy to Zone 8.

13. Attracts butterflies.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

This new azalea hybrid variety is illustrated by the accompanyingphotographic prints in which:

1. FIG. 1 is a close-up showing flower, foliage, and stem color as wellas flower form. The light colored stripe along the back of the petal isseen in the upper left hand corner of the photograph.

2. FIG. 2 shows the dense and globose growth habit of a young threegallon plant.

3. FIG. 3 shows a three gallon plant blooming in early August.

4. FIG. 4 shows the effective use and nature of use of the new varietyin an established landscape planting.

The colors shown are as true as is reasonably possible to obtain byconventional photographic procedures. The colors of the various plantparts are defined with reference to The Royal Horticultural SocietyColor Chart. Description of colors in ordinary terms are presented whereappropriate for clarity in meaning.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed description of the new variety of azaleabased on my observations made of plants grown in wholesale commercialproduction practices, in greenhouses, and in established landscapeplantings in Independence, La.

    ______________________________________                                        Distinctive Characteristics:                                                  Character-                  R. oldhamii                                       istic   `Conlel`  `Carror`  `Fourth of July`                                                                       R. oldhamii                              ______________________________________                                        Height  4-5'      2-3'      8-10'    8-10'                                    (Mature)                                                                      Width)  4-5'      3-4'      6-7'     6-7'                                     (Mature)                                                                      Flower Size                                                                           21/4-23/4"                                                                              2-21/2"   13/4-21/4"                                                                             13/4-21/4"                               Flower Form                                                                           Semi-double                                                                             Semi-double                                                                             Single   Single                                   Flower Color                                                                          Red G. 54B                                                                              Red G. 55A                                                                              Red G. 39A                                                                             Red G. 39A                               Flowers per                                                                           3-4       2-3       2-4      2-4                                      Terminal                                                                      Bloom   April                        Mid-                                     Period                               May > Mid-                                                                    June                                     Bloom   Mid       May       Mid-     Sporadic >                               Period  July > Frost        June > Frost                                                                           summer                                   Petal   5-12      5-10      5        5                                        Number                                                                        Hardy Zone                                                                            8         6         7        8                                        Stamen  0-7       0-3       7-10     7-10                                     Number                                                                        Stamen Type                                                                           Some      Some      Non-Petaloid                                                                           Non-Petaloid                                     Petaloid  Petaloid                                                    ______________________________________                                    

The female, or seed parent, of `Conlel` is the azalea `Carror`; a deeppurplish pink, semi-double, mid to late blooming, low compact grower.`Carror` is an unpatented `Carla` (North Carolina-Louisiana) hybrid. The`Carla` hybrid program was started at North Carolina State University in1960 by Dr. R. J. Standtherr and H. M. Singletary and later moved toLouisiana State University. The basic objectives of the program are thedevelopment of hybrids wigth superior resistance to root rot diseases,cold hardiness, floriferousness, and drought tolerance. `Carror` wasreleased in 1976 and was the result of a cross between the BelgianIndian hybrid `Anytime` and the Pericat hybrid `Morning Glow`.

The male, or pollen, parent is Rhododendron oldhamii `Fourth of July`which originated from a R. oldhamii seed lot collected in 1968 by Dr.Hsu of Taiwan University. The seeds were collected at 850 meterselevation on Mount Tai Tun in Taiwan. Soon after this John Patrick ofOakland, Calif. was visiting Taiwan collecting plant material of theTaiwanese Rhododendrons. He obtained a number of seedlings from Dr. Hsuand grew them in Oakland, Calif. In 1973, Dr. John T. Thornton of C&TNursery in Franklinton, La. obtained one of the Rhododendron seedlingsfrom Mr. Patrick. Dr. Thornton noticed in the next few years that thisparticular R. oldhamii plant was a perpetual bloomer from late Juneuntil frost on new growth. This plant produces two flushes of growthcontaining flowers. The second flush of growth overlaps the first flushproducing a plant which blooms continuously. This differs from thespecies R. oldhamii which blooms from mid-May until mid-June andsporadically through the summer. Dr. Thornton subsequently named thisplant R. oldhamii `Fourth of July` in 1972.

The azalea `Fourth of July` seems to be hardy to about 10 degrees F.(zone 7). Temperatures below this cause dieback, but the plant readilyrecovers and blooms profusely the following summer. R. oldhamii is lesshardy at zone 8.

Robert Edward Lee's hybridization program was conducted with emphasis onspecies that are not commonly found in the genetic make-up of thepresent day hybrids. The `Fourth of July` cultivar which Mr. Leeobtained from Dr. Thornton in 1981 is a heavy summer and fall bloomingplant, not like the Rhododendron Species Foundation form. The flowerbuds form on new growth and start blooming about July 1. Mr. Lee usedthis species to cross with existing hybrids which have a tendency tobloom in the fall and which are also fairly hardy. As expected theresulting seedlings are heavy summer and fall bloomers with veryimpressive spring blooms also.

A sibling cultivar, named `Conlei` is the subject of co-pending U.S.Plant Patent application Ser. No. 08/917,899. `Conlei` is characterizedby a plant height of 3-4 feet, and red-purple single to semi-doubleflowers 13/4-21/4 inches in diameter.

Classification:

Botanic.--Rhododendron hybrid `Conlel`.

Form: Dense and rounded.

Texture: Medium.

Height: 4-5".

Width: 4-5".

Growth habit: Dense and globose. Fast growth rate under normalfertilization and moisture conditions.

Growth rate: In a period of six years from a rooted cutting the plantreaches a height of 3 feet and a spread of 3 feet. The growth rate isnormally about 8 to 10" per year; the plant reaches a height of 4 to 5'at maturity while maintaining a dense habit due to the abundant branchdevelopment.

Foliage: Alternate, simple, evergreen, pubescent, elliptic, and varyingin size from 11/4" to 13/4" long and 1/2" to 13/16" wide. The marginsare entire, with a petiole 3/16" to 7/16" long. Midveins and lateralsare impressed on the upper leaf surface and prominent on the underside.The base of the leaf is cuneate to attenuate and the apex is acute tomucronate. The upper surface of the immature leaves are dull, pubescent,and are Yellow-Green Group 144A and the underside is Yellow-Green Group146D, pubescent, and matte. The upper surface of the mature leaves areYellow-Green Group 147A, dull and slightly pubescent and the undersideis Yellow-Green Group 146B, matte, and pubescent. New growth ispubescent. These hairs are initially soft and white and cover both sidesof the leaf with a higher concentration on the petioles and veins. Theyare slightly curled, flat, and range in length from 1/32" to 1/16". Asthe growth matures much of the leaf pubescence is lost; however, thestems, petioles, and leaf veins retain this pubescence which becomesmore setaceous and darker in color (Greyed-Orange Group 167D) throughthe growing season.

In 1994, the date of initial spring growth was March 10, inIndependence, La. After the initial spring flush there was almostcontinuous growth until that fall ending October 23, also inIndependence, La. When grown in full sun, the internode length of thisplant is 1/4" to 1/2"; when grown in light shade the internode length is3/8" to 3/4". As would be expected a plant grown in shade results in ataller, less dense plant with larger leaves.

The average length of terminal growth of the initial spring flush isabout 5" for a plant in full sun and about 7" when grown in shade. Thisgrowth should not be trimmed since it will produce flowers starting inmid July. As the plant continues to grow through the summer and fallmore flower buds are produced, which mature and bloom until frost. Thisremaining growth produces about 4" to 5" of height. As cool weatherapproaches, some of the flower buds become dormant. These buds bloom inApril of the next year.

Stems: The young stems and lower end of the petioles are Greyed-PurpleGroup 184A and densely clothed with spreading white glandular hairs. Themid-rib, veins, and upper end of the petiole are Yellow-Green Group146C. As the stems mature they become Yellow-Green Group 152B and by thesecond growing season they are Greyed-Green Group 197B, glabrous andrugose. The pith is solid and uniform. Young and older stems are denselybranched.

Buds: Tight buds at 1/2" are ovate and acuminate Yellow-Green Group 146Dwith a hairy pubescence Greyed-Orange Group 167D. The buds are borne inclusters of 3 to 4, and are sheathed by a pair of modified leaf bractswhich are from 1/4" to 1/2" long, persistent, and Yellow-Green Group147A. The pedicel is 3/8" to 5/8" long, pubescent, and Red Group 53A.The calyx is 1/4" to 3/8" long, Yellow-Green Group 144B, funnel shaped,persistent, and pubescent. The five imbricated sepals are lanceolate andjoined at the base to form a cup. As the buds swell the bud sheathmatures to a Greyed-Orange Group 165A, falls off, and reveals the flowercolor Red Group 54A.

Flowers: Perfect, semi-double, Red Group 54B, glabrous, openly funnelshaped, 21/4" to 23/4" wide by 13/4" to 21/4" long, borne on currentseason's growth, non-fragrant; they last on the plant in the garden 5 to6 days. The back of the true petals are also Red Group 54B except for a1/8" to 3/16" wide medial stripe which is Red Group 54D and runs thelength of each petal. Occasionally the larger petaloid stamen also havethis stripe.

There are 5-12 true petals which are fused at the base, elliptic toobovate, and have wavy margins. The dorsal lobe and the two upper wingsof these true petals are dotted Red Group 53B. There are from 0 to 7short stamen which are often petaloid. The petaloid stamen are from 1/2"to 11/2" long and are odd shaped. The non-petaloid stamen are 3/4" to11/4" long and the filaments are Red Group 54B. The anthers are RedGroup 54B and the pollen is Yellow Group 11B. The pistil is single,non-petaloid, 13/4" to 21/4" long, and Red Group 51A. The ovary isdensely glandular-setose and has five locules. The capsule matures inabout 5 months, in Independence, La., to about 1/4" to 1/2" long; it hasa persistent style, is Yellow-Green Group 146A, and contains from 100 to300 nonwinged seeds. Normally fruit set is not heavy. There is a 2 to 3week flowering period in April in Independence, La. Flowering resumes inmid July as the new buds mature and continues until frost which can beas late as November or December in Independence, La. Azaleas blooming atthis time of year attract butterflies in profusion.

Culture: Grows well in a wide range of conditions, tolerates sun toshade. Prefers a moist, well-drained soil that is rich in organicmatter. Responds well to mulching and medium applications of fertilizer;prefers ph 5.0 to 5.5. Very little pruning is needed; adaptable tocontainer and above ground planters; makes a good foundation plant orinformal hedge with excellent foliage and flower contrast. Ideal forcoastal regions and warmer parts of Piedmont. Propagated withsemi-hardwood cuttings in late spring through the summer.

Pests: Lace wing and spider mites can be a problem.

I claim:
 1. A new and unique variety of azalea plant named `Conlel` asherein shown and described.